Battery operated cigarette lighter



Dec. 26, 1950 l. BoYARsKY ET AL 2,535,665

BATTERY OPERATED CIGARETTE LI'GHTER Filed Jan. l2, 1949 Patented Dec. 26, 1950 BATTERY OPERATED CIGARETTE LIGHTER Irving Boyarsky and Irving E. Melnick,

New York, N. Y.

Application January 12, 1949, Serial No.`7.0,522

.10 Claims. l

This invention relates to battery operated cigarette lighters.

An object of this invention is to provide .a cigarette lighter` of the character describedvcomprising a casing in which the batteries are housed, said casing being provided withan opening through which-one vend of the cigarettemai7 be inserted, battery operated electric means within the casing to light the cigarette, a cover to close the opening, and means to .complete `the circuit for the lighting means upon moving Vthe cover to uncover the opening.

Yet another object of this invention is to .provide a device of the character described cornprising a casing having an opening and a `slot at the top, a cover slidably mounted atthe .top of the casing and being adapted to uncover 'the opening, means on the cover projecting through the slot and adapted to close a switch for completing a circuit to aheating element disposed below said opening, so that as the cover is pushed back to uncover the opening, a cigarette may be inserted through the opening and -the heating element will become heated tolightfthe cigarette. means being furthermore provided to push :the cover back into position for covering the opening and at the same time to 'open theswitch so as to break vthe circuit for rthe'heating element.

Yet another object of this invention is `Vto provide a strong, durable, and compact pocket battery operated cigarette lighter of the character described, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, which is so constructed s that the batteries may be readily replaced, which shall be easy to assemble, which shallbe safe to use, attractive in appearance, and yet practical and enicient to a high degree.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which willbe exemplied in vthe construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown various illustrative embodiments of vthis invention,

Fig. -1 is an elevational cross-sectional view of a lighter embodying the invention;

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View .taken on line 3-f3 ofFig. 1;

Fig. .4 is a cross-sectional view taken online 4-4 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the casing with the insulating support for the heating element in place withinl the casing.

Referring now .in detail to the drawing, I0 designates an `electric ,pocket cigarette lighter embodying fthe invention. The same comprises a-casing I I made of any suitable electric insulating material, such as synthetic plastics. The casing II comprises a case I2 and a cover member I`3 hinged thereto. The case I2 has a bottom wall I4, side .Wallsl and I6, and a rear wall I'I. The bottomwall I 4`has a iront edge I8. The side walls I5 and I6 have front edges I9 and 20. The sidewalls I5 and I9 extend forwardly at their upper ends, beyond the edges I9 and 20, as at Ia and Ia, forming underedges 2| and 22. The forward ends of said wall portions I5a and I6a are interconnected by a front wallv'portion `2-3. The rear wall I'I, front wall 23, and side walls I5 and I6 are interconnected by a top Wall 2.4. The front wall 23 has an under edge 25 at the level of the under edges 2| and 22.

The top wall -24 is formed at one end with a circular opening 26 and adjacent the otherend with a longitudinal slot 27. The front wall A23 is formed with longitudinal-grooveZB terminating short of the ends of said wall. The rear wall I1 is formed with a longitudinal groove 29 aligned with the groove 28 and likewise .terminating short of the sides of the said back Wall. 'The grooves 28 and 29 are horizontal and arelocated above the edges 2|, 22 and 25.

The inner-surfaces of walls I5 and I6 are formed with parallel inner grooves 39 and -3I horizontally aligned and disposed somewhat belowthe `edges'2i and 22, -for the purpose hereinaiter appearing. The inner surface of wall t6 is `formed with a transverse groove 33 just above the bottom wall I4. The-wall I 4 is formed with an `upwardly vextending guide projection f3.5 formed Withan inner groove A36 opposed to groove 33.

--Hinged to edge .29 and wall IB by any suitable hinge is the cover I3. Said cover I3 has a bottom wall 4E) complementary to the bottom wall I4. It has a front wall-4I parallel to wall I'I. Ithas side walls 42 and 43 complementary `,to the lwalls I5 and I6. Thus, the cover I3 when itis closed, with the case I2 forms a Vprismatic casing therewith. Suitable hinge spring clips 45 enga-ging in grooves in walls IS and 43 serve to vkeep thecover either fullyopen or fully closed. Such spring clips arewell known in the art.

.Bottom-.wal1r40 has groove 33a complementary 3 to groove 33 and is provided with projection 35a formed with groove 36a complementary to groove 36.

The walls 42 and 43 are formed at their inner surfaces with grooves 46 aligned with the grooves 30 and 3|. When the cover is shut, the ends of the plates will also be received in the grooves 46. Fixed to the top of the insulating plate 59 is a screw threaded conductor shell The shell 5| is located beneath the opening 26. The central contact 52 for said shell is a rivet which xes the shell to the insulating plate 50. The rivet 52 is insul-ated from the shell by an insulating disc 5d. The top of the rivet 52 projects into the shell and the bottom of the rivet projects below the insulating plate 59.

Riveted to the top of the plate 50, by rivet 55, is a spring contact 56. One end of the contact 56 is soldered to the screw shell 5|. The free end of the spring contact 5'! is normally bent spring linger 62 at its lower end normally inclined somewhat upwardly but spaced from the plate 58. rihe upper end of the conductor strip 6| passes through a slot in the insulating plate 56 and is formed with an end portion 63 overlying said plate.

Within the casing and below the plate 59 are three dry battery cells numbered 66, 65 and 66 of usual construction. The spring finger 59 contacts the underside of the battery 65. The spring finger 62 contacts the underside of the battery 66. The anode 67 of the battery 61| contactsthe lower end of the rivet 52.

Attached to the underside of the insulating plate 56 is a conductor strip l0, the ends of which contact the anodes 1| and 'H2 of the batteries 65 and 6|, respectively.

Screwed into the -screw shell 5| is an inner screw shell 89 of conductor material, provided with a central contact 8| insulated from the shell by insulating disc 32. Fixed to the central Contact 8| is an insulating disc of heat resisting material, such as mica, designated by numeral 83. On the top of the disc B3 is a heat resistant coil 89. One end of the coil is attached, as at 85 to the central contact 8|. The other end of the coil is attached, as at B6, to the screw shell 8U. It will now be understood that if the free end 5`| of the contact 56 is pressed down against the terminal 63 of the conductor strip 6|, the circuit will be completed through the batteries to the coil 34 which will heat up. A cigarette inserted through the opening 26 can be moved against the coil and when the circuit is completed, the cigarette can Ylight if a person holds an opposite end of the cigarette in his mouth and draws air therethrough.

Means is provided for uncovering the opening 26 and for simultaneously controlling the opening and closing of the spring contact v56. To this end, there is slidably mounted on top of the casing a slider 96 made of insulating material. The slider 99 has a top wall 9| and side walls 92 and 93. Said side walls are formed with ribs 94 and 95 slidably engaging within' the grooves 28 and 29. The length of the ribs is' such that the slider may be moved from the position shown in Fig. 1, where the opening 26 is covered, to a position where the opening is uncovered. It will be noted that the top wall 9| covers the slot 2'|. Extending upwardly from the cover is a, handle or knob 95. Also integrally formed with the cover and extending downwardly from wall 9|, through the slot 2l, is a linger 96. When the slider is in a position shown in Fig. 1, the linger is so positioned that the spring contact 56 is not in engagement with the terminal 63. However, should the slider 9|) be moved to the right, looking at Fig. 1, the linger 96 will depress the free end 9'! of the contact 56 and cause the same to engage the terminal 63. Thus, the opening 26 is uncovered and simultaneously therewith, the circuit for the heating coil 84 is closed so that the cigarette may be inserted and lit.

On the inner side of wall l5 is a lug 91. On linger 96 is a lug 98 aligned with the lug 97l and projecting toward the latter. Mounted on said lugs and interposed between wall I5 and nger 96, is a coil compression spring 99 which normally tends to move the slider 99 to the left. When the slider is moved to the right, the spring 99 is compressed and after the cigarette is lit, the person using the lighter removes his finger from the slider and the spring 99 will again serve to close the opening 26, thereby permitting the spring contact 56 to open, to break the circuit for the heating element.

ItV will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth 01 shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United Statesz.

1. In combination, a casing having a back wall,

a bottom wall extending forwardly of the back wall, side walls extending forwardly of the back wall, the upper ends of the side walls extending furthei` forwardly than the lower ends of said side walls, a front wall interconnecting the forward ends of the upper portions of the side walls, a top wall interconnecting the back wall, front wall and the upper ends of the side walls, a cover' having a front wall parallel to the back wall and having side walls complementary to the lower portions of the side walls in the case, and a bottom wall complementary to the bottom wall of the case, means to hinge one side wall of the case to a side wall of the cover so that the cover interts with the case and forms prismatic casing therewith, the top wall of the case being formed with an opening and with a slot, a slider having a top wall and parallel walls contacting the front and back walls of the case, an insulating plate removably mounted within said case, an electric heating element on said insulating plate and below the opening in the top wall, electric batteries within the case and below said insulating plate, means to connect said heating element and batteries in circuit and including a normally open switch on top of the insulating plate, and` means on said slider for closing saidswitch` uponJ moving said :slider tora Vposition where iit'uncovers said opening.

i2. In a device of the character described, 'a casing, an insulating plate within the casing, a screw lshell having a central contact insulated from =the screw shell, means to x the central contact tothe insulating plate, dry cells within said casing, an inner screw sheel screwed within the rst screw shell, said inner screw shell having a central contact engaging the central contact ofthe rst screw shell, a heating element within said inner screw shell connected at `one end to the'centralfcontact*of'said inner'screw shell and atan opposite end to said inner screw shell, a normally open'switch nxed tothe insulating plate and having electric connectionto the outer screw shell, means "to connect said batteries in series circuit with the central contact of the first screw shell andincluding a terminal disposed over said insulating plate, said casing having an opening disposed above said heating element, a slider on said casing closing said opening, and means on sai'dslider to move said normally open switch into engagement with said terminal, said casing having grooves, and said slider having ilanges slidably received in said grooves.

13. In a device of the character described, a casing, an insulating plate within the casing, a screw shellhaving a central contact insulated from the screw shell, means to x the central contact to the insulating plate, dry cells within said casing, an inner screw shell screwed within the rst screw shell, said inner screw shell having a central contact engaging the central contact of the first screw shell, a heating element within said inner screw shell connected at one end to the central contact of said inner screw shell and at an opposite end to said inner screw shell, a normally open switch xed to the insulating plate and having electric co-nnection to the outer screw shell, means to connect said batteries in series circuit with the central contact of the iirst screw shell and including a terminal disposed over said insulating plate, said casing having an opening disposed above said heating element, a slider on said casing closing said opening, and means on said slider to move said normally open switch into engagement with said terminal, and spring means to move the slider in one direction.

4. In combination, a case having a back wall, r

a'bottom wall extending forwardly of the back wall, side walls extending forwardly of the back wall, rthe upper ends of the side walls extending further forwardly than the lower ends of said side walls, a front wall interconnecting the forward ends of the upper portions of the side walls, a top wall interconnecting the back wall, front wall and the upper ends of the side walls, a cover having a front wall parallel to the back wall and having side walls complementary to the lower portions o'f the side walls in the case, and a bottom wall complementary to the bottom wall of the case, means to hinge one side wall of the case to a side wall of the cover so that the cover interfits with the case and forms prismatic casing therewith, the top wall of the case being formed with an opening, a slider having a top wall and parallel walls contacting the front and back walls of the case, an insulating plate removably mounted within said case, an outer screw shell xed to said insulating plate, an inner screw shell removably mounted within said outer screw shell, a heating element Within said inner screw shell interconnecting the central contact of said shell with the wall of said shell, dry cells Within the ,case and .below rsaid pla-te, :said router f-screw shell having a :central contact electricallyfconnected tothe central contact of the ,inner shell and to the anode of oneof the cells, a-switch contact attached to .theouter screw shell, said means to .connect said cells in circuit including a viterminal, and means on the slider to move the switch contact into engagement with 'the terminal.

.5. AIn combination, a case 'havingxa backwall, a bottom wall extending forwardly of the back wallgside walls extending forwardly of the back wall, .the .upper ends of the yside walls extending further forwardly than the lower ends of said side walls, a front wall interconnecting the forward ends of the upper portions of the side walls, aztop wallinterconnecting the back wall, front wall and theupper ends of the side walls, a cover havingaa'front wall parallel tothe back wall'and having .side walls complementary to the lower portions of the side walls in the case, and a bottom wall complementary to the bottom wall of thecase, means to hinge one side wall of the case to :aside wall of the cover so that the cover interts with the case and forms prismatic casing therewith, the top wall of the case being formed with an opening, a slider having a top wall and parallel Walls contacting the front and back walls of the case, an insulating plate removably mounted within said case, an outer screw shell xed .to said insulating plate, an inner screw shell removably mounted within said outer screw shell, a heating element within said inner screw shell interconnecting the central contact of said shell with the wall of said shell, dry cells within thecase and below said plate, said outer screw shell having a central contact electrically connected to the central contact of the inner shell and to the anode of one of the cells, a switch contact attached to the outer screw shell, said means to rconnect said cells in circuit including a terminal, .and means on the slider to move the switchcontact into engagement with the terminal, the topwall of the case having an opening above fthe heating element covered by said slider, and said means on the slider to move said .switch contact being operable upon moving said `'slider in one direction to uncover said opening ,6. In combination, a case having a back Wall, a bottom wall extending forwardly of the back wall, side walls extending forwardly of the back wall, the upper ends of the side walls extending further forwardly than the lower ends of said sidewalls-a front wall interconnecting the forward ends of the upper portions of the side walls, a .top wall interconnecting the back wall, front wall-and the upper ends of the side walls, a cover having a front wall parallel to the back wall and having side walls complementary to the lower portions of the side walls in the case, and a bottom wall complementary to the bottom wall of the case, means to hinge one side wall of the case to a side wall of the cover so that the cover interts with the case and forms prismatic casing therewith, the top wall of the case being formed with an opening, a slider having a top wall and parallel walls contacting the front and back walls of the case, an insulating plate removably mounted within said case, an outer screw shell fixed to said insulating plate, an inner screw shell removably mounted within said outer screw shell, a heating element within said inner screw shell interconnecting the central contact of said shell with the wall of said shell, dry cells within the case and below said plate, said outer screw shell having a central contact electrically conncted to the central contact of the inner shell and to the anode of one of the cells, a switch contact attached to the outer screw shell, said means to connect said cells in circuit including a terminal, and means on the slider to move the switch contact into engagement with the terminal, the top wall of the case having an opening above the heating element covered by said slider, and said means on the slider to move said switch contact being operable upon moving said slider in one direction to uncover said opening, and spring means in the casing to move said slider in an opposite direction to cover said opening.

7. A cigarette lighter comprising a casing having a wall formed with an opening, an electric heating element within the casing and spaced from and in line with said opening so that one end of a cigarette can be inserted through said opening to Contact said heating element, a slider slidably mounted on said wall of said casing and adapted in one position thereofto cover said opening, said slider being movable to a position for uncovering said opening, a battery operat d circuit within said casing for energizing said heating element, said heating element being in said circuit, a switch in said circuit, said switch being open when the slider is in position for covering said opening and means on said slider for closing said switch to complete said circuit upon moving said slider to a position where it uncovers said opening, whereby to energize the heating element while uncovering the opening to permit one end of a cigarette to be inserted through the opening into contact with the heating element.

8. A cigarette lighter comprising a casing having a wall formed with an opening, an electric heating element within the casing and spaced from and in line with said opening so that one end of a cigarette can be inserted through said opening to contact said heating element, a slider slidably mounted on said wall of said casing and adapted in one position thereof to cover -said opening, said slider being movable to a position for uncovering said opening, a battery operated circuit within said casing for energizing said heating element, said heating element being insaid circuit, a switch in said circuit, said switch being open when the slider is in position for covering said opening and means on said slider for closing said switch to complete said circuit upon moving said slider to a position where it uncovers said opening, whereby to energize the heating element while uncovering the opening to permit one end of a cigarette to be inserted through the opening into contact with the heating element, spring means to be tensioned upon moving said slider from a position covering said opening to a positinon for uncovering said opening, and said spring means moving said slider back to covering position from an uncovering position of said slider.

9. In combination, a casing having a top wall, a slider slidable on the top wall, said top wall of said casing being formed with an opening and with a slot, an insulating plate removably mounted within said casing, a heating element on said insulating plate and spaced below said opening in said top wall, dry cells within said casing and below said plate, means to connect the dry cells in circuit with said heating element, including a normally open switch contact in said circuit, said slider normally covering the opening in the casing and means on the slider projecting through said slot to close said switch contact upon movement of said slider from a position covering said opening to a position uncovering said opening, whereby the heating element is exposed and the circuit therefor simultaneously closed.

1U. In combination, a casing having a top Wall, a slider slidable on the top wall, said top wall of said casing being formed with an opening and with a slot, an insulating plate removably mounted within said casing, a heating element on said insulating plate and spaced below said opening in said top wall, dry cells within said casing and below sa1d plate, means to connect the dry cells in circuit with said heating element, including a normally open switch contact in said circuit, saio slider normally covering the opening in the casing and means on the slider projecting through said slot to close said switch contact upon movement of said slider from a position covering said opening to a position uncovering said opening, whereby the heating element is exposed and the circuit therefor simultaneously closed, and spring means to move said slider from a position uncovering the opening to a position covering said opening.

IRVING BOYARSKY. IRVING E. MELNICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,321,026 Freed et al Nov. 4, 1919 1,392,163 Hoimann Sept. l27, 1921 1,420,167 Vogt et al June 20, 1922 1,584,423 Bate May 11, 1926 1,721,203 Bucknell et al July 16, 1929 1,728,292 Lavick Sept. 17, 1929 2,014,416 Soreng Sept. 17, 1935 2,310,701 Lehmann Feb. 9, 1943 2,330,851 Venot Oct. 5, 1943 2,467,473 Gray Apr. 19, 1949 2,468,430 Derksen Apr. 26, 1949 y FOREIGN PATENTS Number Y Country Date 354,559 Great Britain Aug. 13, 1931 

